A material having a high capacity for thermal absorption is needed for specialized nuclear fusion applications. Coatings of tungsten on graphite or steel substrates, applied using a controlled-atmosphere (vacuum) thermal spray system, are particularly suitable for these applications
A tremendous effort is underway worldwide to further the development of nuclear fusion technology. Today's challenge is to find new or improved plasma-coating materials for protection within the main containment wall. The unique physical properties of tungsten and boron-carbide make them excellent candidate materials for lining large areas of the next-generation Tokomak. Tungsten exhibits favorable thermomechanical properties, such as high thermal conductivity, even at extreme temperatures, with relatively high mechanical strength. Furthermore, tungsten is a high-Z material, having the highest melting point and the lowest vapor pressure of all metals.
Boron-carbide is being intensively studied as an alternative low-Z protection of main-containment components. A major disadvantage of both materials is the great difficulty in processing these brittle materials into the main-containment lining.
Sulzer Metco is a pioneer in using thermal spray technology in a vacuum or inert atmosphere to process refractory metals and other highly specialized materials. Participating in several joint programs with worldwide research institutes and component manufacturers, we are contributing leading edge technology to solve fundamental problems in main-containment protection.
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